Chương 20: Seeking Martial Art

The long four-hour account ban finally ended. Without any delay, Yang Fan immediately logged back into the game, took the teleportation array to Peach Blossom Village, and walked quickly toward the large tree at the center of the village. He soon found the village chief standing under the tree.

"Young hero Set Sail, it has been many days since we last met. You are still as spirited and commanding as ever. What brings you to our village today?" It was the familiar tone, the chief still acting like a flatterer. Yang Fan took out the Tianyin Sword from his backpack, its cold blade shimmering with a faint dark light, tiny flashes of cold brilliance reflecting in the bright sunlight. He deliberately waved it in front of the chief and said, "Chief, do you still recognize this sword?"

The chief quickly stood up and walked over, squinting as he carefully examined the sword's patterns and shape. His expression changed dramatically, his face full of disbelief. He exclaimed, "Is this not the Tianyin Sword? How did it end up in your hands?" Yang Fan replied with a slightly strange tone, "This is the heirloom sword you gave me. Have you forgotten?"

"Young hero, I may have given you the wrong one." As he spoke, the chief reached into his robe and pulled out another ordinary iron sword of similar shape, his expression deliberately flustered.

"Could we swap them back?" Yang Fan was no fool. He would not be fooled by such a clumsy lie.

"Chief, I can tell you clearly that this true heirloom sword was personally unsealed and recognized by Master Ying Yao. He has officially passed the position of Ying family head to me." The chief was visibly shaken, his expression shifting dramatically. He quickly bowed with utmost respect.

"Lord Set Sail, head of the Ying family, is truly extraordinary! I saw your extraordinary bearing from the very first moment we met, and I knew you possessed the talent to reshape the world and the ambition to conquer all. Now even Master Ying Yao has personally recognized your position and entrusted you with the family's leadership! Our Ying family has lain dormant for years, but from now on, we will rise like the wind, ascend to great heights, and restore the glorious name of our ancestors!"

Yang Fan was speechless. This man's flattery was too much. How had a sycophant like this managed to stay village chief for so long? He waved his hand dismissively, not wanting to hear any more praise.

"Enough, Chief. I know you admire me. That being said, do you have anything you can offer me as a token of your respect?" The chief's eyes shifted, and he pondered for a moment. A meaningful smile spread across his face as he slowly spoke.

"I have a granddaughter. She is sixteen, of marriageable age, with a delicate and lovely appearance. She has not yet been betrothed. Would the head of the family be interested?" Yang Fan was stunned. This was a new level of scheming. The chief was something else! But then he thought again. NPCs could not really interact beyond game mechanics, and a pretty villager would be useless to him. She would just be dead weight. He quickly dismissed the thought and refused.

"Chief, you are overthinking things. I am not that kind of person. When I say offerings, I mean powerful martial techniques and proper cultivation methods. Only by becoming stronger can I truly lead the Ying family back to its peak." The chief suddenly understood, his eyes filled with even greater admiration. He wasted no time and pulled out four yellowed, ancient skill books covered in old script, respectfully handing them over to the new family head. System Notification: "Congratulations.

You have received the skill book: Wind Sword Form One." System Notification: "Congratulations. You have received the skill book: Wind Sword Form Two." System Notification: "Congratulations. You have received the skill book: Wind Sword Form Three." System Notification: "Congratulations. You have received the skill book: Wind Sword Form Four." Yang Fan looked at the four thin books in his hands, his face full of disappointment.

"That is it? Our Ying family is supposed to be an ancient lineage. Is this all the heritage we have? Does this even live up to the name 'ancient family'?" The chief let out a helpless sigh and explained, "Our Ying family has been plagued by the curse for generations. None of our members could cultivate properly. Countless legendary martial techniques and ancient cultivation methods have been lost over time. All that remains are these four basic sword forms, barely preserved by our ancestors for self-defense.

However, Master Ying Yao surely possesses the complete ancient inheritance and top-tier techniques. The family head can personally request them from him in the future." Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Ying Yao?" Yang Fan shook his head helplessly. That master of his was always drunk, probably still in a drunken rage. He did not dare go anywhere near him again and risk another rule-level punch that would ban him for four hours. Besides, Ying Yao had made it clear that he would not teach any techniques until Yang Fan reached level 20. Pushing aside his thoughts, Yang Fan learned all four skill books with a single click and opened his skill interface to review his new abilities.

Attribute Value Name Wind Sword Form One Quality Undetermined Skill Effect Leap toward a distant target and strike with the sword, dealing damage equal to your own attack. Cooldown 30 seconds Level Requirement 10 Weapon Requirement Sword-type Note This ancient sword technique strikes with lightning speed and overwhelming force, capable of destroying anything in its path.

Attribute Value Name Wind Sword Form Two Quality Undetermined Skill Effect Channel your power into the sword and strike the target, dealing double your normal attack damage. Cooldown 30 seconds Level Requirement 10 Weapon Requirement Sword-type Note This ancient sword technique strikes with lightning speed and overwhelming force, capable of destroying anything in its path.

Attribute Value Name Wind Sword Form Three Quality Undetermined Skill Effect Unite your mind with the sword, achieving a state of oneness, increasing your attack power by 50% for 15 seconds. Cooldown 30 seconds Level Requirement 10 Weapon Requirement Sword-type Note This ancient sword technique strikes with lightning speed and overwhelming force, capable of destroying anything in its path.

Attribute Value Name Wind Sword Form Four Quality Undetermined Skill Effect Wield the sword rapidly to generate countless sword energies, forming a protective sword formation around you that reduces incoming skill damage by 50%. Cooldown 30 seconds Level Requirement 10 Weapon Requirement Sword-type Note This ancient sword technique strikes with lightning speed and overwhelming force, capable of destroying anything in its path.

After carefully reading through the four skill descriptions, Yang Fan felt somewhat relieved. The Wind Sword Four Forms set was comprehensive and well-balanced. Form One provided a mobility gap-closer, allowing for flexible positioning. Form Two amplified damage for burst output. Form Three stacked a buff to maximize offensive potential. Form Four created a defensive barrier to reduce damage. It covered offense, defense, mobility, and burst. He closed his skill interface and pressed further.

"Aside from these techniques, does the village have any powerful equipment or ancestral artifacts?" The chief stroked his white beard, thought for a moment, and replied slowly, "Lord, the village does have many ancestral weapons and armor, but they have all been reduced to common quality due to the curse. Would you like me to bring them for you to look through?" This reminded Yang Fan of the heirloom sword. He had blamed the chief unfairly.

The sword really was a legendary weapon once, but the Divine Curse had reduced it to Gray quality. If he could break the curse someday, it might become Divine quality again, or at least Diamond. So he stopped the chief and said, "Do not bring them. Keep them all safe. Do not give them to anyone else. They are our Ying family's treasures, and they might serve a greater purpose in the future." The chief bowed deeply.

"I will follow your orders, Lord. I will keep them safe and never lend or give them away."

"Is there really nothing else in the village? No other hidden heritage or secrets?" Yang Fan was still unwilling to let go. The chief hesitated, his expression flickering with uncertainty. He clearly had something on his mind but held back. Yang Fan caught his hesitation and pressed firmly.

"Speak clearly! If you only say half of what you mean, do you still want to keep your position as chief?" The chief spoke nervously.

"Master Ying Yao ordered me not to speak of it. Besides, your current level is too low. Even if I told you, it would not help." It seemed that whatever the chief was hiding had a level requirement. Yang Fan did not press further. He had already gotten what he could from Peach Blossom Village. His next stop was the temple to learn cultivation methods. He left Peach Blossom Village, took a teleportation array to Longxi Prefecture, and headed straight to the White Tiger Temple branch.

Entering the main hall, he walked directly through the front plaza toward the Lecture Hall. Just as his foot crossed the threshold, a white-clad figure appeared in front of him. It was the Divine Minister. Without a word, the Minister raised his hand and guided Yang Fan to turn around and walk quickly toward the Spirit Officer Hall at the center of the temple.